Association of malocclusion and malposition of mandibular third molar

Abstract

Third molars are a common topic in dental consultations, often due to the adverse symptoms that can accompany their eruption. The malocclusions associated with third molars are part of the daily routine for dentists, and demonstrating an association between them could help improve diagnosis and treatment planning. Objectives: To determine the existence of an association between malocclusions and malposition of mandibular third molars. Materials and Methods: Panoramic radiographs and study models from 101 cases in the Orthodontics Postgraduate Program were obtained. Malocclusion was determined using Angle's molar classification. The malposition of the third molar was classified according to Winter's classification and Pell and Gregory's classification. Results: The overall presence of impacted mandibular third molars were 83.1%. A statistically significant association (p=0.05) was observed regarding the Pell and Gregory position on the right side. On the left side, an association (p